Study of heterosis for grain yield and its components in wheat (Triticum aestivum) over normal and heat stress condition

Abstract

Present investigations were carried out to exploit further breeding heat tolerant cultivars. Heterosis for yield and its component traits were studied in 10 parents and their 45 F1’s in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under normal and heat stress condition. Cross combination HD-2733 x HUW-468 (50.24 %) depicted highest positive significant relative heterosis for grain yield followed by AAI-11 x HUW-468 (47.08%) and K-911 x HUW-468 (43.19%). Similarly AAI-11 x HUW-468 (36.17%) exhibited highest positive significant heterobeltiosis for grain yield followed by hybrids HD-2733 x HUW-468 (35.76%) and HD-2733 x AAI-16 (35.04%) in normal condition. In stressed condition, cross NW-1014 x NW-4035 (30.63 %) followed by K-9162 x NW-4035 (24.12 %) and K-911 x AAI-11 (22.93%) exhibited highest positive significant relative heterosis. Whereas cross combination NW-1014 x NW-4035 (27.76 %) depicted highest positive significant heterobeltiosis followed by hybrids K-9162 x NW-4035 (19.43%) and NW-4081 x K-9162 (15.99%) which may be exploited for developing hybrids with better yield and yield related traits in wheat. These crosses could be extensively used in breeding programme to develop superior segregants or better pure lines could be derived in further breeding programmes.